Dietitian (Clinical)

Summary

The Harry S. Truman Veterans' Memorial Hospital is recruiting for one (1) Dietitian (Clinical) in the Saint James/Rolla, Missouri area. The Dietitian (Clinical) is the medical nutrition expert responsible for planning, developing and directing all nutritional care activities for assigned Veterans, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. This position will transfer to the new Rolla Community Based Outpatient Clinic, in November 2026.

Duties

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAS BEEN AMENDED to include Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave and the opening date of the Rolla Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Employees in this assignment serve as a Dietitian (Clinical) providing Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and outpatient services within the Clinical Section of NFS serving as the medical nutrition expert. They are autonomous in their work in applying evidenced based nutrition practice guidelines for all patients, including those with complex medical and nutritional needs. Clinical Dietitians providing HBPC coordinate nutritional care of Veterans with other health care providers, the Veteran, the Veteran's caregiver, and the community. They interpret research and utilize whole health principles to develop patient-centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians providing HBPC collaborate with the Food Operations Section to enhance the Veterans' dining experience and ensure patient satisfaction. Duties include but are not limited to: Conducts comprehensive nutrition assessments using the Nutritional Care Process (NCP), including nutrition focused physical examinations, to establish a nutrition diagnosis and determine risk and/or degree of malnutrition. Develops and implements Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) to address the nutrition diagnosis, evaluates and monitors the effectiveness and outcomes of MNT interventions. Modifies the plan as needed to achieve positive patient outcomes. Calculates nutrient requirements and necessary diet restrictions or food and drug interactions tailoring the diet prescription to each individual patient. Documents MNT in the medical record using the Assessment, Diagnosis, Intervention, Monitoring, Evaluation (ADIME) format. Functions independently and accurately when record keeping. Identifies patients in need of nutritional support and recommends the appropriate mode of support and communicates appropriately with the health care team. Actively participates in formal and informal interdisciplinary team meetings. Assesses educational needs and provides nutrition education/counseling for individuals and groups that is tailored to the Veteran(s). Utilizes virtual care technology to improve access to care. Maintains productivity standards. Maintains accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and complete patient encounters using approved systems. Participates in service-level strategic planning and implementation of new initiatives, policies, procedures and goals. Supports service-level performance improvement activities to include development of measures, data collection, data evaluation, and initiation corrective actions. Complies with the Joint Commission requirements and other accrediting agency standards to ensure safe and quality patient care. Serves as a liaison between clinical units and the Food Operations Sections. May perform other related duties as assigned which are appropriate for this grade and assignment. Work Schedule: Tuesday-Friday; 7:00AM-5:30PM Telework: Not Available Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified candidates Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD99500S

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) or Registered Dietitian (RD) - Must be registered with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR) the credentialing branch of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics formerly known as the American Dietetic Association (ADA). Exception for GS-07 and GS-09 Only: Dietitians who do not possess the RDN/RD credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and have fulfilled the requirements below, but do not possess the RDN credential, may be given a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed one year under the authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405(c)(2). May only be appointed at the GS-07 or GS-09 level and may not be promoted/converted until they obtain their RDN credential. Non-credentialed Dietitians must have fulfilled each of the following: Earned a bachelor's or higher degree from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university or foreign equivalent. Foreign Education: To be creditable, college and/or university degrees earned outside the U.S and its territories must be evaluated by ACEND and meet ACEND's International Dietitian Education standards which are designed to provide graduates with the knowledge and competencies to sit for the CDR credentialing exam. ~AND~ Completed an ACEND accredited experiential or supervised practice program and provide a verification statement from the program director that conveys eligibility to take the CDR registration exam as a prospective RDN. A list of ACEND accredited programs are located on the ACEND website or at ACEND Accredited Programs Directory. Current VHA Dietitians that qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision may not be promoted to a higher grade if they do not meet the current RDN/RD requirements. Grade Determinations: All individuals assigned to this occupation must meet all the basic qualification requirements and all the requirements defined in the specific assignment. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-07. Experience or Education: None beyond the basic requirements. Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) entry-level developmental position. They work under the guidance of a Dietitian who is at the full performance level or above, performing increasingly complex tasks designed to prepare them for promotion. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments for patients with lower acuity using the NCP while developing skills to apply evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines. Clinical Dietitians learn to interpret research, apply whole health principles and develop patient-centered goals. Dietitian (Clinical), GS-09. Experience: At least one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. OR Education: Master's degree from a regionally accredited university or college. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience or education above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: A. Knowledge of various accrediting and regulatory requirements. B. Knowledge of virtual technology to provide nutrition care. C. Ability to deliver patient care using the NCP (e.g., assessment, diagnosis, intervention, monitoring and evaluation) D. Ability to apply evidence-based nutrition practices to improve patient outcomes. E. Ability to develop patient-centered goals. F. Ability to collect data for performance improvement studies. G. Ability to collaborate with stakeholders. Assignment: Employees in this assignment serve in a Dietitian (Clinical) developmental position. They perform increasingly complex tasks under general supervision. Clinical Dietitians conduct nutrition assessments using the NCP. They develop skills in applying evidence-based nutrition practice guidelines, interpreting research and utilizing whole health principles to develop patient- centered goals and improve outcomes. Clinical Dietitians also utilize virtual care technology to improve access to care. They maintain accurate record keeping of daily clinical activities and patient encounters using approved systems. Clinical Dietitians comply with TJC and other accrediting agency standards to